Pleasantville Special Education High Needs Programs and Costs

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Pleasantville Special Education High Needs
Programs and Costs

• By Dr. Carolyn McGuffog
• David Quattrocchi

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IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

• Individuals with disabilities must be provided
  with a Free and Appropriate Public Education
  (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment
  (LRE).

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Pleasantville Special Education Programs Prior to
2003-04

• Special Education Programs
• Teacher Consultant
• Resource Room
• Modified Program

• Related Services
• Speech Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Counseling

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Philosophy Prior to 2003

• Children whose needs could not be met in special
  education programs within the district were
  placed in out-of-district programs.

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Numbers of Pleasantville Special Education
Students

• 2001-02 2003-04
  2008-09
• Autistic 6
  8 16
• Other Health Impaired 11
  25 49
• Learning Disabled 114 124 53
  

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Change in Population From 2001 to 2008

• Increase in High Needs Students, particularly
  those with Autism.

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Philosophical Change Beginning Around 2003

• Board of Education, administration and parents
  want high needs children to have an opportunity
  to attend school in the Pleasantville School
  District.

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My Background

• Ph.D., Ed.D. Psychology and Education
• Certified, Special Education/Elementary Education
  Teacher
• Licensed, Clinical Psychologist
• Certified, Child/Adolescent Psychoanalyst
• Certified, School Psychologist
• Board Certified, School Neuropsychologist
• Certified, School District Administrator

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Current Philosophy

• Create inclusive special education programs
  around the needs of children rather than find
  special education programs outside of the
  district that children can fit into.

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New High Needs Special Education Programs In
Pleasantville SD

• Autism Spectrum Program
• Direct Instruction Resource Room
• Individual Support Program
• Therapeutic Support Program

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Key To Success

• Support from the Board of Education,
  Administration, Parents and Community.
• Staffing must hire experienced staff.
• Staff Development must teach all staff about
  the students special needs ongoing effort.

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Teachers in High Needs Programs

• ASP Ruth Rust, Ila Russo
• DI Susie Wilson, Deirdre Vedovino
• ISP Kathleen Canfield
• TSP Maureen Spinozza, Barbara Vaccaro
• Psychologists, Speech Therapists, Occupational
  Therapists

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2008-09 Costs

• 2008-09 Out of District Costs
• 6 high needs students
• 669,464
• Out of District Costs Include
• Tuition
• Transportation
• Costs for Additional Related Services
• Costs for Aides and Bus Monitors As Needed

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In-District Program CostAnalysis Includes

• Salary Benefits of Staff Associated with the
  Program
• Related Services
• Materials

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2008-2009 Cost Comparison
Out of District Costs for 41 High Needs Students
3,700,000

• In District Costs of
• Programs for 41 High
• Needs Students
• 2,300,000

SAVINGS 1,400,000 All amounts are estimated.
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Added Benefit

• In District Savings 1,400,000
• Tuition Revenues 640,000
• Total Cost Savings 2,040,000
• All amounts are estimated.

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Challenges

• Providing the expertise and opportunities
  necessary to educate children with diverse needs.
• Family Training
• Community Based Instruction
• Job Coaching
• Staff Development
• Changing a culture

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Benefits

• Special Education students remain in their home
  community.
• Socialization
• Learn to navigate their community.
• Have opportunities to work in their community.
• Mainstream students become more understanding and
  accepting of students with disabilities.

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THE END